Michael & Tracey Winters Triumph Sprint 1050
David Robinson Yamaha FJR1300
Alan Munday Yamaha FJR1300
Neil Goldfinch Honda Blackbird
Garry McCurley VFR 1200
Peter Arday Honda ST1300
Adam Higham 6SXR 1000
Michelle Mount Burgman 650
Rob Lillie F21
Denis Wignell Yamaha FJR1300
Rick Costan Ducati Monster
Marilyn Starick Ducati MS 1100
Chas & Jen Towie Honda ST1300
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| A foggy beginning |
Riding out of Bungendore at 8.30 it was very foggy and I wondered why I hadn’t thought to put my wet weathers on – it was going to be a very long day if I had to keep on wiping my visor. We did get a few patches of sun along the Federal Highway but by the time we crossed the border the fog had set in again. We met everyone at Nicholls and were pleasantly surprised at the number of bikes arriving out of the gloom. Some early arrivals had sought warmth in Maccas but we soon hauled them out.
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| Ulyssian guttersnipes? |
Leaving just after 9.30 the fog continued to be a problem down the Barton and Hume highways – very thick with poor visibility. But as we turned onto Burley Griffin Way naturally the sun came out for the Canberra Branch. We stopped at the Terracotta Café in Murrumburrah – although it had only been open for half an hour it was already quite busy and we had our coffee and cakes outside on the footpath.
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| Terracotta tourists |
We set off for Junee through Cootamundra and Bethungra. For any potential tree changers the B&B at Bethungra is on the market – it was formerly an historic hotel and would make an excellent place for Christmas in July or a potential clubhouse.
On arrival at the Junee Chocolate and Licorice Factory we realised we had underestimated its popularity on a long weekend - the chocolate factory was chockers with a one and a half hour wait for food. After making some healthy purchases we decided to see where else we could find some lunch. But not before being approached by a lady doing her Masters (in Photography?) who needed some photos of men looking angry – we could certainly oblige. Expect to see the mug shots of David, Neil, Peter and Mick adorning a thesis very soon.
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| Railway Cafe |
We ended up at the Railway Café at Junee (where Mick’s grandparents met so that place has a lot to answer for). Lunch here was also slow to arrive (I think they were still chasing the cow around the paddock to fulfil our hamburger order) so some of the group took off early with an agreement to meet at the Dog on the Tuckerbox. Finally fed, and led by Peter we took the scenic route to Gundagai through Nangus. After refuelling with petrol, coffee and an ice-cream for Garry we pulled away from Gundagai just on 4pm. We passed Garry and Neil at Murrumbateman and arrived home, kangaroo free thanks to the new headlight bulbs installed only this week, at 5.30.
A great day’s riding made all the more enjoyable by the company and (eventual) food, not to mention my hoard of chocolate licorice.
Tracey Winters
